By Charlotte Branson, BALPA Media Officer We take a look back at an incredibly busy year 2019: A TIMELINE January READ MORE February READ MORE March READ MORE April READ MORE May READ MORE July READ MORE 22 August READ MORE September READ MORE October READ MORE November READ MORE December READ MORE INDUSTRIAL READ MORE January The year began with us watching the dust settle after the Gatwick and Heathrow drone events. At the end of 2018, we saw significant delays – particularly at Gatwick – as a result of a rogue drone (or drones) being flown around the airports. To date, no-one has been arrested for this. However, off the back of a situation that caused misery for many Christmas travellers, there was movement from the Government on some action long called for by BALPA. In January, new laws increasing the drone restriction zone around airports, and giving greater police powers, were introduced. Following tumultuous financial times in Flybe, the consortium Connect Airways – founded by Virgin Atlantic Limited, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital – announced its intention to buy the airline. This was approved by the European Commission in July. In October, the group announced its plans to re-brand Flybe to Virgin Connect in 2020. BALPA hopes this will bring an end to the uncertainty felt by our Flybe members. READ MORE February In February, BALPA launched its maternity pay campaign, Baby on Board, at Westminster. The campaign aims to bring fairer maternity pay to female pilots, in an industry where most can only expect to get the statutory minimum. While the campaign has had to take a back seat publicly, it’s still on various Company Councils’ agendas, and companies such as Virgin Atlantic and AirTanker have already announced some improvements. The first airline collapse of the year came with the distressing demise of Flybmi. In February, the company announced it had gone into administration. It had been struggling financially for some time and, without any extra funding, it was forced to admit defeat. BALPA stepped in to support members in finding work in other airlines. READ MORE March Airlines and aviation authorities around the world took the decision to ground the Boeing 737 Max following the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which came less than six months after the Lion Air flight 610 crash in October 2018. A total of 346 people were killed in these disasters. Questions began to surface around the safety of the aircraft and its automation system. While investigations are still ongoing, the aircraft remains grounded worldwide. READ MORE April BALPA announced it is to host the IFALPA (International Federation of Airline Pilots’ Associations) Conference 2021 in Manchester. We hope the event will highlight the importance of Manchester and the UK in the aviation industry. READ MORE May Our CHC Scotia Company Council announced the results of its industrial action ballot, becoming the first of three of BALPA’s recognised companies to call one this year. Ninety four per cent of members voted ‘yes’ to strike action (with a 77% turnout). Months of negotiations had failed to bring an acceptable pay deal to members. Following the announcement, the company revised its offer, which was accepted by 68% of members. READ MORE July July became one of the busiest months in recent BALPA history, with the announcement of strike ballots in Ryanair and British Airways. This was followed by not one but two court victories against BA, which tried to injunct the ballot, losing at the High Court and, later, the Court of Appeal. Read more about both the Ryanair and BA action. READ MORE August In August, Ryanair members carried out the first of their strike days, and we also defeated the company at the High Court, after it similarly tried to have the ballot declared invalid. Strike dates were also announced at BA. READ MORE September September saw the continuation of industrial action, with strikes taking place at BA and Ryanair. On 23rd September, we were devastated to learn that Thomas Cook had gone into liquidation. Although it was thought that there was an interested buyer, this didn’t materialise, and the company collapsed. The 9,000 Thomas Cook staff – including around 600 pilots – were suddenly left without jobs, and 150,000 people were stranded around the world, leading to the UK’s largest ever peacetime repatriation effort. Read more on the airline’s collapse and what BALPA has been doing to support members. READ MORE October BALPA submitted evidence to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy enquiry into the Thomas Cook collapse. We urged the Government to question the airline’s executives on the treatment of staff and missing wages. READ MORE November The Clutha Bar Fatal Accident Inquiry findings were released this month. BALPA provided legal support to members who were called forward as witnesses. BALPA welcomed the introduction of the new drone registration scheme – something we’ve been calling on the Government to introduce for some time. We also held our Annual Delegates Conference and welcomed our new NEC members. Read more about this on our news pages. READ MORE December As industrial issues continue, keep an eye out in our newsletters for the latest as the situations develop.
